Reciprocating tray unit



Feb. 14, 1961 P. DUBOFF ErAL RECIPROCATING TRAY UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 8, 1960 KNVENTORS PHILIP DUBOFF EY ILLER.

AT'T

Feb. 14, 1961 P. DUBOFF ETAL RECIPROCATING TRAY UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July v8, 1960 /P DUBOFF HARVEY M/LLER ATTORNEYS United States Patent RECIPROCATING TRAY UNIT Filed July 8, 1960, Ser. No. 41,637

14 Claims. (Cl. 211-126) This invention relates to reciprocating tray units adapted to be disposed on a shelf in a storage area whereby items can be conveniently inserted in, or removed from, the storage area. More particularly, this invention relates to a reciprocating tray unit which can be easily installed on a shelf in an ordinary closet or cupboard, or the like.

In almost all present-day kitchens, comparatively deep cabinets are provided which have shelves therein on which items to be stored are placed. Items stored toward the front of such cabinet on a shelf may be easily reached, however, items stored toward the back of such cabinet on one of the shelves are somewhat inaccessible. In order to remove an item from the back of a shelf, a housewife, or other person, must assume some inconvenient position so as to be able to reach the remote interior portion of a shelf to get the particular item wanted. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a reciprocating tray unit which can be placed on a shelf whereby items can be stored on the tray and moved outwardly at any time desired to a convenient position.

In our co-pending application Serial No. 4911, filed January 27, 1960, and entitled Reciprocating Tray Unit, now Patent No. 2,946,458, we disclosed a reciprocating tray arrangement for use as described above, which unit incorporated a generally rectangular rod frame base member on which was reciprocally mounted a generally rectangular tray basket including bars cooperating with the rails of the base member. Although such unit functioned satisfactorily, we have now found that the construction can be improved, that the operation can be made more efiicient, and that manufacturing costs can be greatly reduced.

Accordingly, one of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide a reciprocating tray unit which can be used on a shelf for conveniently inserting and removing articles from inaccessible areas, and which eliminates the need for providing a base frame to support and reciprocally mount the movable tray member. Still a further primary object of the present invention, in this connection, is to provide a reciprocating tray unit incorporating a tray member or tray basket which is supported on wheels, and also incorporating a simple and small stop-and-guide-means or member adapted to be fixed to the shelf for guiding reciprocal movement of the tray member or basket, and for limiting the movement of such tray or basket in opposite directions.

Still further and more specific objects of the present invention are: (a) to provide a reciprocating tray unit conforming with the preceding objects and having a tray member or basket provided with wheels carried at the rear portion of the base of the tray member or basket wherein cooperating means on the basket and the stopand-guide member or means serve to support the front portion of the basket regardless of the position to which the basket or tray has been moved; (b) to provide a reciprocating tray unit as described above, wherein cross members serving to define the bottom of the tray or basket member support a sheet member, preferably to- 1 and-stop member as shown inFigure 2;

raminous, and in addition serve as axles for the wheels of the tray member or basket; (0) to provide a reciprocating tray unit in accordance with the preceding objects wherein the stop-and-guide means or member cooperates with a guide head affixed to, but extending below, the bottom of the tray member or basket to guide the basket or tray and to limit movement of the tray member or basket along a given axis; (d) to provide a reciprocating tray unit as prescribed above, wherein the tray member or basket is non-detachably coupled with the guide-andstop member or means when the basket is moved to a position for inserting, or removing articles therefrom, but which is detachably coupled to the stop-and-guide means or member when the tray member or basket is moved to closed position, or a position where it is fully above the shelf; (e) to provide a reciprocating tray unit conforming with the preceding objects and incorporating a tray member or basket having a retaining head and a guide rail carrying the retaining head, and also incorporating a stop-and-guide member having a slot-andgroove arrangement thereon, which slot-and-groove arrangement cooperates with the guide rail and retaining head to guide and support the tray member and detachably connect the tray member or basket to the shelf for reciprocal movement between two extremes; (1) to provide a reciprocating tray unit incorporating a tray member formed from a plurality of bent rods, which tray member has a foraminous sheet bottom set in between the sides of the traymember whereby the bottom of the, tray provides a planar storage surface; (g) to providea reciprocating tray unit as defined above wherein the re-, taining head is carried on, and below, the guide rail, and wherein the stop-and-guide member is provided with a longitudinal slot for reciprocal movement of the retaining head, and with a cross-slot for inserting and removing the retaining head from the guide-and-stop member; and (h) to provide a reciprocating tray unit as set forth in (a)(g) above wherein the stop-and-guide member takes the form of an elongated channel member having the prescribed slot-and-groove arrangement on the top face thereof and having side flanges adapted to support the top face in proper spaced relation to a shelf whereby the prescribed retaining head carried by the tray member is reciprocal along the underside of the top face of the stop-and-guide member, and whereby the prescribed guide rail carried by the tray member is slidable in the groove in the top face of the stop-and-guide member.

The invention consists in the construction, arrange: ments and combination of the various parts of thede vice, whereby the objects contemplated are attained. The invention will be better understood, and objects other than those specifically set forth above, will become ap parent, when consideration is given to the illustrative and preferred embodiments presented in the annexed drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of a reciprocating tray unit constructed in accordance with the preferred em bodiment of the invention; 1

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the preferred form of stop-and-guide member used in the reciprocating tray uni provided by the invention, and shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure l and showing the details of cooperation between the guide rail of the reciprocating tray unit and the grooved channel preferably provided on the guide-:

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure l and is similar to Figure 3, but showsthe cooperation between the guide-and-stop member the retaining head, guide rail, and tray member of the unit; r

Patented Feb. 14, 1961 fe redrfo m. orstQp-amlui e mem e Pr d d ril invention as the same is attached to a shelf or similar upp V a l. I

. Figure 8. is a perspective view of a modified form of reciprocating tray unit constructed in accordance with the present invention; 7 c

Figure 9 is a detailedfragmental view of the guide arrangement used with the u it shown in Figure 8 and presents the cooperation between the guide components thereof; 7 a a Figure. 10 is a perspective view of another modified form of reciprocating tray unit constructed in accordance with the present invention; and I Figure 11 is. a detailed fragmental view of the guide arrangement used with the unit shown in Figure 10, and presents the cooperation between the guide components thereof.

, The preferred form of reciprocating tray unit provided by the invention, as shown in Figure l, is generally designated by the numeral 2. Such unit includes a guide means 4, adapted to be fixed to, a shelf, a tray means such as that designated by numeral 6 which has a base. and wheels 8 carried by the base and extending therebelow wherebythe tray means is rollable over a shelf above the guide means 4. The assembly also includes at least one retaining member such as that designated by the. numeral 10 which forms a part of the tray means and cooperates with the guide means, as explained in detail hereinbelow.

The preferred guide means, as shown in Figure 2, is provided with a longitudinal slot 12 extending partially therealong. The forward end of the longitudinal slot 12, and the back end of such plot, serve as abutment means which cooperate with the retainingmember- 10 to limit reciprocal movement of the tray means 6 along the axis of the guide means. The guide means 4 is also provided in accordance with the preferred embodiment with a cross-slot 14 which serves as a detaching means. Such detaching means is disposed to cooperate with the retainingmember when the tray is in a position overlying the guide means whereby the retaining member fits within the slot 14.

In assembly, after the retaining member 10 has been placed in the slot, and the tray is rolled forward on the wheels 8, then the tray means is non-detachably coupled with the guide means 4. However, as should be readily apparent, when the tray 6 is returned to the initial position where the retaining member 10 is aligned with the slot 14,. then the tray member 6 is detachably coupled with the guide means 4 since the retaining member 10 can be lifted out of the slot 14.

The reciprocating tray unit described hereinabove is adapted to be disposed on a shelf such as that designated by the numeral 16 in Figure 7 whereby items can be con: veniently inserted in, or removed from, the storage area. The guide means 4 is a stop-and-guide member as suggested, which preferably takes the form of an elongated channel having apertures and 20" in opposite ends thereof whereby the channel is adapted to be fixed to a shelf by means of screws 19, or nails, or the like, as shown in Figure 7.

In detail, the channeled stop-and-guide member comprises a central plate 18 having the longitudinal slot 12 extending partially therealong and terminating in adjaeent; spaced relation to the end 17 of the plate 18. The central plate 18 also has the cross-slot 14 extending equiist nfl to i her si e of e o i a l 12 an eotmn nica iss entr l ith heen at th lon itud na slot terminating adjacent the end 17 of the central plate of the tray member shown in aj q l s e i ral i are. Q 1; name: 11-1 of Fig re 2 nd pre en in n res -s on the e 18. The central plate 18 is 24 which support the central plate above the shelf.

provided with flanges 22 and Moreover, the central plate is provided with a groove 26 extending between the forward end of the longitudinal slot 12, or the end of the longitudinal slot spaced from the cross-slot 14, and the end 17' of the'plate 18.

The tray member 6 has wheels, as explained, for sup- Porting the ay member o r li ma row on the shelf. The tray member also has a guide rail 30 depending therefrom, and the retainingmember or head 10 is carried by, and fixed to," the guide rail so as to depend therefrom. The retaining headpreferably is attached to the guide rail by a weld, and is disposed to fi t within the cross-slot 14 when the tray member is in the rear position. When the parts areassembled as shown in Figure 1, the retaining head 10 extends adjacent the underside of the central plate 18 whereby when the tray is rolled from the rear position toward the forward position the retaining head extends beyond and below opposite sides of the longitudinal slot 12 and within the channeled mem-" ber 4. Similarly, when the parts are assembled, the guide rail is disposed to lie within thegroove 26 whereby the guide railcooperates with the groove to guide the 'tray member for reciprocal movement with respect'to the channeled member along the axis of the slot 12 and groove 26. Thus, as the unit shown in Figure l isloperated, and the tray member 6 is moved forward, or to the left as shown in Figure l, the retaining head rides below the slot 12 and extends on either side thereof. At the same time, the guide rail 30 cooperates with the slot 26 to prevent sideward movement of the tray member 6. As the tray is moved forward, eventually "the retaining head 10 or the connection thereof with the guide rail 30,: abuts the forward edge 12a of the longitudinal slot 12, and prevents further forward motion of the tray member 6. Similarly, as the tray is moved rearwardly, or tothe right as shown in Figure I, eventually the retaining head, or connection thereof with the guide rail 30, abuts the rear edge 14a of the cross-slot 14 and prevents further rearward movement of the tray. 7 i

c The manner in which the guide rail 30 cooperates with the groove 26 is best shown in Figure 3 where the rail and channel member are'shown in cross-section. By

' reference to that figure, it will be seen thatth'ef rail 30 movably rests or lies within the groove 26. 4

Similarly, the manner in which the retaining head or cross-bar 10 extends below the slot 12 is best shown in Figure 4. By referring to that figure it will be seen that the retaining head 10 is fixed to and depends from the guide rail 30, whereby it extends below the guide rail and central plate 18. V i H l The tray member 6 preferably includes a pair of axle rods 40, and 42 on which the wheels 8 are iournaled One of the axle rods, namely, axle rod 40, is isposed parallel to and adjacent the rear end 44 of the tray mem ber or basket 6. The other of the axle rods, namely, axle rod 42, is disposed parallelto and spaced from the axle rod 40 toward the end of the basket opposite th eend 44, or toward end 46. Preferably, the rod: 42 is disposed no further forward than the, longitudinal center of the basket, so that when the tray is operated, the wheels 8 attached to the forward axle rod 42 do not roll oil? of the supporting shelf. i V

he ui rail .0 s fi ed. as by W din t a belew theaxle rods 40 and 42. The retaining head It! is fixed 9 the guide a l .0 a s y a Weld or the Sui means. g v

The retaining head is disposed intermediate the axle rod 42 and the axle rod 4t), and preferably near the axle rod 49 whereby the retaining head cooperates with the central plate 18 of channeled member to support the forward end 46 of the basket 6. More specifically, no wheels are provided at the forward end46 of th'e'basket or tray means 6, and thus the tray, vwhenloaded, would ha e a isler t9 t Q fWa Q ai -we qatalski wise. However, when the tray is moved forward, as the tray begins to tip or so rotate, the ends of the retaining head engage the portions of the central top plate 18 on the sides of the slot 12 as shown in Figure 4, and thus prevent such tipping or counterclockwise rotation.

As explained above, the cross-members 40 and 42 extend between opposite sides of the tray or basket 6, and serve to support the wheels 8. Preferably only two wheel-supporting, or axle, cross-members are provided, and as explained one of such cross-members or axles is disposed adjacent the back end 44 of the tray or basket and the other is disposed intermediate the back end 44 of the basket and the longitudinal center thereof. At the front of the tray or basket, a shorter cross-rod 62 is pro vided, and this cross-member serves to define the front bottom of the tray and to support the forward end of the guide rail 30 which is welded or otherwise suitably affixed thereto. Moreover, the cross-members 62, 40 and 42 serve to support a foraminous plate or'sheet' member 60 which fits in between the side frames ofthe tray or basket.

The tray member or basket provided by the invention comprises a rectangular rod base frame 64 which consists of a single rod initially bent into an elongated rec-. tangular shape. The ends of the rod frame 64 are bent upwardly as at the corners 66 and 68 to define ends projecting upwardly from the central portion of thebase' frame of the tray or basket. Preferably, two rectangular rod frames 70 and 72 are fixed to the ends of the rod base frame in spaced relation to the central portion of the-base frame. The rectangular rod frames 70 and 72 comprise single rods bent to form rectangular frames which fit around the outer ends of the base frame 64. The rectangular rod frames are fixed to the end portions of the base frame as shown, by welding or other suitable attaching means.

When the rod base frame and the rod side frames are assembled, the tray or basket member has an open top and an open bottom. However, the pair of axles or cross-members 40 and 42 and cross-member 62 are fixed between the opposite rod portions 63 and 65 of the base frame which define the lower extremity of the basket. Such construction is easily assembled, and provides for a sturdy tray or basket. The provision of the foraminous sheet 60 provides a planar supporting surface for the bottom of the tray or basket, and since the foraminous sheet fits between the base rails of the base frame 64, easier storage is provided for.

In Figure 5, the tray or basket shown in Figure 1 is presented in side view, and it will be noted that the wheels 8 are attached to the base of the tray or basket by the axles 40 and 42 and extend below the base whereby the tray or basket is rollable above the guide-and-stop member 4 shown in Figure 2. Figure 6 presents in detail a plan .view of the basket or tray shown in Figure 1.

In order to provide for proper cooperation between the guide rail 30, retaining head 10, longitudinal slot 12, cross-slot 14, and groove 26, the wheels 8 have a diameter correlated to the width of flanges 22 and 24 which support the central plate 18 above a shelf. Specifically, the .wheels support the guide rail 30 and retaining head 10 whereby such components are disposed respectively, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, above and below the plate 18 as supported by flanges 22 and 24. The radius of the wheels 8 is only slightly greater than the width of the flanges with such construction.

The cross-slot 14, as should be apparent, allows for inserting the retaining head 10 within the channel defined by plate 18 and flanges 22 and 24, as well as for removing the retaining head from within the slot and thereby detaching the tray or basket member from the stop-andguide member in the event it is desired to clean the tray.

Figure 8 presents a modified form of the invention wherein the tray or basket 6 is constructed in generally the same manner as shown in Figure 1;but instead of using an elongated stop-and-guide member such as shown in Figure 2, the stop-and-guide means takes the form of two supports and 80a. Each support includes a retaining member or ring 82, 82a having a generally circular bore 86 therein (Figure 9), and also having an opening 88 at the top of the bore. The retaining members 82, 82a are carried by base members 90, 90a adapted to be fixed to a shelf. The basket or tray 6 of the Figure 8 embodiment is not provided with the retaining head 10 as shown in Figure 1, and, instead, the guide rail 30' is provided with two recesses 94 and 94a. The recesses can be formed by grinding a portion of the side of the rails away at the desired locations, or in any other suitable manner.

When the basket overlies the support or guide members 80 and the basket is in the rear position, with the subject modified embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 8, then the recess 94 is aligned with the opening 88 in the front guide member 80, and the recess 94a of the rod 30' is aligned with the recess 88a in the guide member 80a. Thus, when the recesses on the rod are aligned with the openings in the guide members, then the tray or basket can be lifted vertically free from engagement with the support or guide members 80 and 80a.

''However, when the tray member is moved forward from the position shown in Figure 8, then the guide rail 30' is in locking engagement with the guide members 80 and 80a and the basket cannot be so lifted. This will be apparent by an examination of Figure 9, where it will be seen that the diameter of the guide rail 30' closely approximates the diameter of the bore 8'6 but is slightly smaller so that guide rail 30' is reciprocally movable within the bores 86 and 86a in the guide or support members 80 and 80a.

The back recess on the guide rail 30' in the embodiment of Figure 8 should be provided adjacent but to the rear of the attachment of the axle 42 with the guide rail 30', and the recess in the forward portion of the guide rail should be provided near the front of the basket or tray member adjacent but to the rear of the attachment of cross-member 62 with guide rail 30'. With this construction, as the tray is moved forward, eventually the cross-member or axle 42 abuts against the front guide member or support 80 and limits forward movement of the basket. As the tray member is moved rearwardly, the axle 42 abuts the guide or support member 80a and rearward movement of the basket is limited. The operation is thus essentially the same as that shown and described in connection with the embodiment of Figure 1.

Still another modified embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 10. Again the basket or tray member assumes essentially the same form as shown in Figure 1. However, the channeled guide-and-stop member.4 shown in Figure 2, is replaced by a generally T-shape rail having base side flanges 102, 102a provided with apertures 104 whereby the guide rail can be 7 fixed to a shelf.

In the embodiment of Figure 10, the retaining head 10 of Figure 1 is replaced by a loop or C-shape retaining head such as that designated by numeral 106. This retaining head is carried, preferably, by a guide rail such as that designated by numeral 30" adjacent axle 42 and fixed to both the rail and axle as by a weld.

A groove 105 similar to that designated by numeral 26 in Figure 2 is provided on the top of the rail 100 and this groove cooperates with the guide rail 30" .just as guide rail 30 cooperates with the groove 26 in the Figure l embodiment. The retaining head or member 106 fits around the projecting portions 101, 101a of the head of rail 100 and serves to guide the tray or basket member-:6 in cooperation with the guide rail and groove arrangement. The rail 100 is provided with lug projections 108 and 110 (ro'ds suitably attached to the rail),

and these lug projections cooperate with the retaining head 106 to limit'movement of the tray in opposite directions along the rail. Specifically, hen the trayis moved foifwa'rditheretaining head d, abuts the lug 108' to stop.

forward: mat/meat, and when the tray is moved back: ward, thefretai'nin'g head: 106 abuts the lug lltltqprevent furtherIr'earward movement of the tray member.

' The rail 109 is also provided with a recess 115 immediately forward of lugprojection 110 and the inwardly bent arms of the retaining head 106 are adapted to pass. through such recess when the tray ismoved to a position where such arms are aligned with the recess'so that the tray is removably attached to the stop-and-guide member 100. Therail may be formed, in the swe manner as a railroad rail, or if desired, the rail may be formed from folded sheet stock to provide a generally T-shape guide rail which can be engaged by a retaining head such as that designated by numeral 106.

The operation of the Figure 10 embodiment, like the operation of the Figure 8 embodiment, is essentially the same as that shown and described in connection with the embodiment of, Figure 1. It'should be apparent that the retaining members 82 and 82a of the Figure 8. embodiment, and the retaining'head'106, of the Figure 10 embodiment serve to support the front ofthe trayin cooperation with the other components, and that the diameter or radius of the wheels 8 is correlated'to the height of the stop-and-guide members, just as explained with reference to the preferred embodiment of Figure 1.

Although preferred and modified embodiments of our; invention have been presented, various, modifications which fall within the scope and spirit of the invention other than those' suggested above will become apparent to those of ordinary skillin the artafter reading the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended "that; such description be interpreted as illust'r'ati'vel What is claimed is: a

1. A reciprocating tray unit adapted to be disposed on a shelf in a storage area wherebyitems can be conv'eniently inserted in, or removed from, the storage area, said unit comprising guide means adapted, to be 'fixed to said shelf, a tray means having a base and wheels car ried by said base and extending therebelow whereby said tray means is rollable over said shelf above said guide means, at least one retaining member forming a part of one of saidmeans and cooperating with the other of said means whereby said tray means is reciprocally movable, and guided, along a given axis, and abutment means carried by the other of said aforementioned means and cooperating with said retaining member to limit reciprocal movement of said tray means along said given axis.

, 2. A reciprocating tray unit as defined in. claim 1 wherein said other of said means includes a detaching means disposed'to cooperate with each retaining member when said tray means is in a given position overlying said guide means, whereby said tray means is detachably coupled to said guide means when said tray means is in said given position and non-detachably coupled to said guide means when said tray means is in' any position other than said given position.

'3. A reciprocating tray unit adapted to be disposed on a shelf in a storage area whereby items can be convehiently inserted in, or removed. from, the storage area, said unit comprising stop-andaguide' means adapted to be fixed to said shelf, a tray means having a base and wheels carried by said base and-extending therebelow whereby said tray means is rollable over said shelfabove said stop-and-guide means; a retaining guide meanscarried by said tray means and cooperating with said stopand-guide means whereby said tray means is reciprocally movable and guided along a given axis, said stop-andguide means including spaced abutments for limiting movement of said tray member along said given axis between two extreme positions.

- 4. reciprocating tray unit .as'defined in claim 3 wherein saidabutments are 'engageable by said retaining guide and wherein said stop-and-guide mean's'iii- 8. eludes an elongated guide member and wherein said retaining guide means is detachably coupled to said elon ga'jtedmember and movable therealong' reciprocating f't'ray unit" asde'fined in claim 4 wherein said base" has an at least generally parallelogram sligpqandincludes a pair of spaced axle's'dispbsed paral lfel to the, ends "of said 'bas'e and projeeting'beyond the sides of said base, oneof said axles being fixed to said' baseadjaceiit one end thereof, theother of "said axles being hated to 'f'aid b se intermediate the longitudinal center and'on'e end thereof; wherein" said wheels are carried on the portions of said axles projecting beyond the sides of said base; and' wherein said fet'ainin gnide meansincludes a head member engaging said elongated member to restrict vertical movement or "said retaining guide means and thereby said tray 'means when said tray means is rolled over said shelf. n

6. A'reciprocating tr'ay unit adapted to be disposed on a shelf in a storage area wherebyitems can be moved to a convenient" position for insertion'in, or removal from, the's to r age area, said unit comprising a tray frame having an open bottom defined between a pair ofspa'ced side frame rods, at least two cross-members extending between said pair of frame rods, each of said cross-meme bers having "a pair of wheels journaled for rotation thereon whereby said frame is rollable over said shel'ffand guide means adapted to be attached to said shelf and cooperating with said tray frame to guide said frame for. limited reciprocal movement with re'spect'to' 'said shelf, said guide means being disposed under said frame where by said frameis'rollable'thereabovel" 7 A reciprocating tray unit as defined in claim 6 wherein said tray frame further includes "sides extend ingupwardly'from said rods and ends extending between said sides defining a, generally rectangular basket, '"wherein said two cross-members are fixe'dto, and projectbeyond said frame rods, wherein said wheelsare journaled on the portions of said cross-member's projecting beyond said frame rods, wherein one of said two cross-members is mounted adjacent, and parallel to one end of said frame, wherein the other of said two cro'ss-members'is mounted in spaced parallel to said one cross member intermediate said one end and the longitudinal center of said frame, wherein said frame includes at least one additional cross-member mounted adjacent the end of said frame opposite said one end, and wherein "said unit further includes a bottom sheet-memberdisposed between said frame rods and above said cross membersto provide a flat bottom for said basket.

8. A reciprocating tray unit as defined in claim 7 wherein said unit furtherincludes"a 'guideb'ar fixed to said cross-members below said cross-members and extending longitudinally ofsaid frame intermediate the sides thereof, and a retaining membercarried by said guide bar, said guide bar and retaining member-being disposed to cooperate with said guide means for" guiding said tray frame and'de tachably connecting said tray frame with said guide means; i

9. A'recipr ocating tray unit adapted to be disposed on a shelf in'a storage area whereby items'can be conveniently inserted in, or removed from the 'storage'area, said unit comprisinga stop-and-g'uide member adapted to be fixed to a shelf, said' stop-and-guide'm'embef including means to support s portion thereof'in' spaced relation above a*shelf, 'said'portionhaving'a longitudinal slot extending partiallythere'along and terminating inspaced relation to the ends of said pprtiea, said portion also having a cross-slot communicatingj'with one end of said longitudinal slot, said portionfalso having a groove aligned-with said longitudinal slot and extending from the end of said longitudinal slot spaced from saidcrossslot toth e closestend of said p rtion; atray member having wheels rotatably supporting said traytnember for rolling movement on:said'jshelf, said tray member also havingjaguidejrail dependingtherefrom, and a retaining head carried by, and depending from, said guide rail, said retaining head being disposed to fit within said crossslot and extend beyond, and below, opposite sides of said longitudinal slot when said tray member is disposed on said shelf above said portion whereby said tray is removably coupled to said stop-and-guide member, said guide rail cooperating with said groove to guide said tray for reciprocal movement along the axis of said groove and said longitudinal slot, said retaining head cooperating with the end of said longitudinal slot adjacent said groove to limit reciprocal movement of said tray in one direction, and cooperating with the end of said cross-slot remote from said longitudinal slot to limit reciprocal movement of said tray in the direcdon opposite said one direction.

10. A reciprocating tray unit as defined in claim 9 wherein said tray member comprises a plurality of rods joined to define a generally rectangular basket, wherein said wheels are supported on axle rods defining the bottom of said basket and projecting beyond opposite sides thereof, and wherein the tray member further includes a sheet member supported on said axle rods and providing a planar bottom for said basket.

11. A reciprocating tray unit as defined in claim 10 wherein said tray member includes a pair of axle rods, one of said axle rods being disposed parallel to and adjacent one end of said basket, and the other of said axle rods being disposed parallel to and spaced from said one axle rod toward the end of said basket opposite said one end, and not beyond the longitudinal center of said basket; wherein said guide rail is fixed below said axle rods and wherein said retaining head is disposed on said guide rail intermediate said axle rods whereby said retaining head cooperates with said portion of said stopand-guide means to support the end of said basket opposite said one end.

12. A reciprocating tray unit adapted to be disposed on a shelf in a storage area whereby items can be conveniently inserted in, or removed from the storage area, said unit comprising an elongated channeled stop-andguide member adapted to be fixed to a shelf, said channeled stop-and-guide member comprising a central plate having flanges depending from either side thereof to support said central plate above a shelf, said central plate having a longitudinal slot extending partially therealong and terminating in adjacent spaced relation to one end of said plate, said central plate also having a cross-slot extending equidistantly to either side of said longitudinal slot and communicating centrally with the end of said longitudinal slot terminating in adjacent spaced relation to said one end of said plate, said central plate also having a groove extending between the end of said longitudinal slot spaced from said cross-slot and the end of said plate opposite said one end; a tray member having wheels rotatably supporting said tray member for rolling movement on said shelf, said tray member also having a guide rail depending therefrom, and a retaining head carried by, and depending from, said guide rail, said retaining head being disposed to fit within said cross-slot when said tray member is in a given position and extend adjacent the underside of said central plate whereby when said tray means is rolled from said given position toward said end of said plate opposite said one end said retaining head extends beyond, and below, opposite sides of said longitudinal slot within said channeled member whereby said tray member is removably coupled to said channeled member and guided thereby, said guide rail being disposed to movably lie within said groove to guide said tray member for reciprocal movement with respect to said channeled member, said retaining head cooperating with the end of said longitudinal slot adjacent said groove to limit reciprocal movement of said tray member in one direction, and cooperating with the end of said cross-slot remote from said longitudinal slot to limit reciprocal movement of said tray in the direction opposite said one direction.

13. A reciprocating tray unit as defined in claim 12 wherein said tray member comprises a plurality of rods joined to define a generally rectangular basket, wherein said wheels are supported on axle rods defining the bottom of said basket and projecting beyond opposite sides thereof, and wherein the tray member further includes a sheet member supported on said axle rods and providing a planar bottom for said basket.

14. A reciprocating tray unit as defined in claim 13 wherein said tray member includes a pair of axle rods, one of said axle rods being disposed parallel to and adjacent one end of said basket, and the other of said axle rods being disposed parallel to and spaced from said one axle rod toward the end of said basket opposite said one end, and not beyond the longitudinal center of said basket; wherein said guide rail is fixed below said axle rods and wherein said retaining head is disposed on said guide rail intermediate said axle rods whereby said retaining head cooperates with said portion of said stopand-guide means to support the end of said basket opposite said one end.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

